Josh Turner brings his style of traditional country music to Genesee

Country singer, actor and author Josh Turner grew up in a small town in South Carolina where he said music education was not often available in school. Though he participated in choirs as much as he could, he admitted when he went to Nashville, he felt like “a fish out of water. They were doing theory and ear training and I couldn’t keep up.”

Turner, who performs at Genesee Theatre Aug. 5, made it his business to learn all he could about not only country music, but also the theory of music. And it’s easy to tell he knows his stuff when he discusses one of his latest hits, “Hometown Girl,” featured on his sixth studio album, “Deep South.”

“Hometown Girl” is in the key of F sharp,” he said. “But we never play the F sharp, the root chord.” That creates an edginess to the song, he said. The edginess along with its message is likely what draws his fans to the song, he said.

It refers to a girl who has so much more than good looks. “She has talent,” Turner said. “She has drive. She’s got character. She can do anything she puts her mind to. It became an anthem for my female fans. They felt like this song (helps) women, instead of putting them down.”

Known for his deep, smooth voice and his dedication to traditional country music, Turner said, “I’ve always been a huge advocate of regardless of what business you’re in, it’s important to know the history of your career — whether you’re a baseball player or a country singer. For me, I had been a student of the country legends and pioneers and what they had done and what kind of opportunities they have afforded people like me. I respect people like that.

“I’m always clinging to the traditional country music. At the same time, I’m trying to create something new and fresh that my younger fans can latch on to.”

“Hometown Girl” is the perfect example of that, he said.

When he comes to Genesee, he’ll likely sing that and other songs from “Deep South.” He wrote the title track about where he grew up. “I want to write a picturesque song and give visual images,” he said. Some images in the song include sitting in a live oak tree.

Turner performed several years ago at Genesee Theatre and said, “That area has such country music fans… I love going to those places.

“People ask me what’s your favorite venue. I don’t think about that concept … I’m focused on how the crowds react and respond and connect with me and music.”

Turner said he started singing when he was about 4 years old. Over the years, he joined choirs and started a gospel quartet when in high school. “When I turned 13, I started singing country music. When I was 17, I started playing guitar,” he said.

In 1996, he developed a lesion on one of his vocal chords and had to rest his voice for a year. During that time, he studied classical vocal technique and learned to better care for his voice.

Since then he’s been nominated for two Grammy awards, and five Country Music Association Awards. He’s also won six Inspirational Country Music Awards and sold more than five million albums.

When not touring or writing music, he works on several charities, including the Josh Turner Foundation, which grants scholarship to young people pursuing music. Like many other country singers, he also supports St. Jude’s Hospital for children. He also helps Special Olympics. “There are a lot of people out there in need,” he said, adding he feels blessed with his career and wants to give back to others.